In Brief
Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College, a constituent of Maharishi Markandeshwar University (established under the 2010 Act), sought to operate under its parent university. Himachal Pradesh amended the 2006 Act to mandate that all private medical institutions in the state obtain affiliation from Himachal Pradesh University. The Supreme Court held that an autonomous university established by special legislation possesses independent authority to grant affiliation to its own constituent colleges. Compelling such a college to seek affiliation from another state university would undermine the parent university's autonomy. The Court struck down the amended Section 3(6a) as unconstitutional, irrational, and ultra vires, reaffirming that general regulatory legislation cannot override special legislation establishing university independence.
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